In the last two years, many headphones with magnetic planar drivers have begun to emerge, and recently we have also seen them penetrate the TWS headphone market, such as the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Today, we are reviewing the Letshuoer S12 headphones, which feature a single magnetic planar driver that created a stir in the audiophile community when they were released. So, what can the technology of the magnetic planar driver offer us?
Disclaimer
The headphones were purchased with my personal funds, and all my opinions regarding the headphones are personal and based on my individual experience with their use. This review is translated review that I wrote in Hebrew for AudioKnights website, if you prefer, you can read the original review
here.
What’s in the Box?
Letshuoer did not skimp on the accessories they included in the box, which consist of: 2 types of silicone ear tips in 3 sizes, in addition to memory foam ear tips in 3 sizes, a carrying case, and a high-quality 2PIN 0.78mm cable.
The carrying case is very compact and convenient for transport; it is small enough to fit in a pocket while still being an excellent size for storing the headphones. Inside, there is also a small pocket where you can place silicone ear tips for emergencies or store your dongle (if it's not too large, of course). It is made of a faux leather material and feels very high quality and pleasant to the touch.
The headphone cable I chose has a 3.5mm output, but it is also available with a 4.4mm output if you prefer. The cable is relatively thick and feels very high quality, among the best I’ve tried so far, especially considering the price of the headphones. It is a bit difficult to connect the cable to the headphones the first few times; you need to apply a bit of force, but once the cable is securely connected to the headphones, the connection feels very stable and strong, giving a sense of security that the headphones won't easily come loose. There is also a plastic ring at the split area of the cable for the left and right earphones, which helps to create a less "loose" feeling when wearing the headphones. The ring does its job well and doesn’t slide down; it stays stable and secure.
I have one complaint about the cable: there is a lack of markings in the area connecting to the left and right headphones. It's unclear which side of the cable belongs to the right earphone and which side belongs to the left, although there is a red color on one of them. It would have been helpful if there was also a red mark on one of the earphones for indication, but there isn't.
The selection of silicone ear tips is also excellent. We receive 2 types of tips, with one type being black-and-white and feeling softer, while the other type is all black and feels slightly firmer. With both types of silicone ear tips, I was able to achieve a good seal in the ear, and I didn't notice a significant difference in the sound produced by the headphones, so it's really a matter of preference and comfort. Additionally, the box contains memory foam ear tips, and unlike many headphones that come with only one size of memory foam tips decided by the manufacturer, here we get 3 different sizes, which is very welcome. Personally, I’m not a big fan of them, but if you are – they are included.
The structure of the headphones is made of metal, and their size is not particularly large. Despite the metal construction, the headphones are lightweight and hardly noticeable when worn. The nozzle of the earphones is relatively short and does not go deep into the ear, but the ear tips are long enough to provide a good seal. I was able to wear the headphones for an extended period without feeling any discomfort, and overall, I would say they are very comfortable to wear.
In terms of sound
Sub-bass
The sub-bass of the headphones feels natural and clean, much like it would sound if I were listening to the song live. However, it feels a bit too fast. There's a lack of the subwoofer feeling that I would have liked to hear in some of the songs in my library, as it adds a bit more enjoyment to the bass, and sometimes this can be disappointing and feels lacking.
Mid-bass
In contrast to the sub-bass, the mid-bass feels more present. When there's a kick, you really feel it strongly and prominently, in a very satisfying and precise manner, and it sounds clean without bleeding into the other frequencies. Overall, it’s done very well.
Midrange
The headphones manage to provide a good presence for instruments and vocals. The vocals are front and center, and the instruments blend nicely without clashing with the vocals, giving a very satisfying and enjoyable listening experience. Instruments and vocals, in particular, feel quite close to what I would hear in reality.
However, when I listened to songs that incorporate guitars, I expected to hear more of the strumming and acoustic nuances that guitars bring, which could enhance the overall character of the sound. The "acoustic" feeling seems to be lacking for my taste, and this affects the overall listening experience.
With instruments like the piano, I would like to feel more of the key presses; the headphones make them sound a bit too bright, which detracts from the overall experience. It's not bad, but there is room for improvement.
On the other hand, with instruments like the violin, they managed to deliver very impressive performances. I really enjoyed the violin; it felt very natural with high and precise resolution, and songs that incorporate violins sounded very satisfying and enjoyable.
Overall, I really liked the capabilities of the S12 in the midrange frequencies. However, I would prefer the sounds to feel a bit less cold, as this can affect the listening experience in songs featuring the instruments I mentioned.
Treble
Treble is where the S12 excels. Some reviewers might say it is exaggerated, too bright, and fatiguing, and I can understand those claims, but I don’t necessarily agree with them. The treble is crafted very well and accurately, and the sense of sound is high and impressive. The high frequencies sound great and are positioned front and center, and high-pitched instruments do not blend with the vocals, providing a very enjoyable listening experience.
In electronic songs, which contain many high elements, the headphones particularly shine. It's true that in most cases, you might prefer to listen to songs from this genre on headphones focused on bass, but I must admit that I was very surprised by how the S12 managed to play electronic tracks. So many small nuances began to emerge, and everything was precise and exactly as needed; the treble blends well with the bass and creates a very enjoyable and satisfying sensation.
I can’t express in words how amazing the songs by Snails House sounded, for example. His tracks contain many small electronic elements that, when combined, create an interesting and diverse composition. The level of detail was high and precise, and I couldn't stop listening. I’m surprised every time that it's just one driver doing all this; I have no words.
Overall, treble is where the S12 definitely excelled; they managed to produce quality and precise treble, and if you're someone who loves treble, I have no doubt you'll love the S12.
Technical Capabilities
The technical capabilities of the S12 are nothing short of excellent. The separation between instruments is done well; you feel that there is a relatively spacious movement, and the instruments are not centered but spread out. Their imaging capabilities are also very impressive; it’s very easy to pinpoint where the instruments stand and are located within the soundstage, and the instruments have a clear body and feel precise and realistic. Again, the S12 excels here.
In Summary
The S12 has definitely impressed me positively. Yes, they may not have impressive bass capabilities and can feel a bit too bright, but overall, it's a matter of preference. The technical capabilities are very good, the treble performance is quite impressive, and the overall listening experience feels very accurate, similar to what you would hear in reality. They do not require much power to reach a satisfactory volume level; my apple dongle was sufficient to achieve a high volume with them. And if you're open to using an equalizer, I’m pleased to say that they respond well to adjustments, allowing you to emphasize the bass frequencies if you wish. Additionally, they are lightweight and comfortable to wear, and I find their external appearance very attractive.
The price of the IEM is approximately $100 at the official Letshuoer store on AliExpress as of the date of this review. They are available for purchase at the
following link (no affiliate marketing involved), and if you wait for sales you can get them for much less, making them very competitive even today.